Buoyancy-Enhanced Saftey Garment

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a personal garment constructed with a buoyancy-enhancing feature whose purpose is to provide the garment wearer with the ability to float on the surface of the water for an extended period of time with minimal expenditure of energy in a water environment in order to prevent drowning. The buoyancy enhancing feature may comprise several configurations. One configuration consists of a compressed fluid canister apparatus constructed within the garment that is activated by the garment wearer. Another configuration comprises a garment constructed in part of a fabric manufactured with minute particles of a buoyancy-enhancing material encapsulated within the fabric substance. Another configuration consists of the incorporation of one or more removable buoyancy-enhancing panels into pockets constructed within the garment. In each configuration, the buoyancy enhancement is achieved by increasing the composite volume and decreasing the composite density of the combined garment and the garment wearer. The invention is intended to increase the safety of individuals participating in water-related activities such as swimming or boating in an ocean, lake, or river, where the ability to remain in a floating position on the surface of the water without expending additional effort for an extended period of time could make a critical difference in the outcome of an emergency situation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of buoyancy-enhanced floatation garments that can be used to extend the period of time that the garment wearer can tread water or otherwise stay in a controlled floatation position when faced with an emergency situation in which the ability to remain afloat for an extended period of time may make a critical difference in the outcome of the emergency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water activities carry with them the inherent risk of drowning. Unforeseen conditions can imperil the swimmer's life. A swimmer may swim too far out to sea, experience a muscle cramp in cold water, or be caught in an undertow. A wide variety of personal floatation devices are available today, including life preservers, life jackets and vests, inflatable armbands (water wings), and swimsuits that incorporate rectangular sections of foam. These devices are effective but are also bulky, obtrusive, inconvenient, and unattractive, causing them to be unlikely to be used consistently during water activities. Children are especially vulnerable to the risks involved in water activities.

Participants in water-related activities have a present need for a buoyancy-enhancing garment wherein the buoyancy-enhancing feature is effective, non-obtrusive, convenient, easy to employ, reliable, and affordable; will not interfere with water-related activities; and is affixed to the garment the person wears in the water so that it is continuously available and cannot be left behind when the person enters the water. Such a device would increase the safety of swimmers and provide potentially life-saving benefits.

Swimwear garments are well known in the art, but have not been structurally adapted to discretely, materially, and practically increase swimmer safety by selectively increasing a person's buoyancy when the swimmer is confronted with a potential drowning situation.

-   -   1. Additional buoyancy enhancement may further be provided to         the swimmer by a supplemental buoyancy-enhancing source         incorporated into the swimwear.     -   2. The amount of supplemental buoyancy and the vertical body         positioning are adjustable by user control.     -   3. This invention is applicable to and may be applied to various         swimwear and non-swimwear garments.     -   4. The supplemental floatation apparatus may be constructed         within the swimwear in a manner that is unobtrusive to an         observer, and is thus socially acceptable as well as         comfortable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

1. it is a primary object of the present invention to materially enhance the ability of a person to float on the surface of a body of water, such as an ocean or, lake, for an extended period of time with minimal expenditure of energy to prevent drowning in the event of an emergency encountered in the water environment.

2. The present invention consists of

-   -   a) a garment, typically a swimwear garment; and     -   b) a buoyancy-enhancing apparatus constructed and used within         the garment.

3. In one embodiment, the buoyancy-enhancing apparatus increases the garment wearer's buoyancy through the release of a compressed fluid contained within a canister constructed within the garment into a secondary cavity also constructed within the garment. The compressed fluid expands upon release, creating an increase in the volume and a corresponding decrease in the average density of the combined garment wearer and garment. The increase in volume causes the combined garment wearer and garment to displace a greater volume of water. The increase in displaced water volume increases the buoyant force supporting the garment wearer due to the fact that the buoyant force acting on an object in water is equal the weight of the water displaced. The increase in buoyant force enhances the garment wearer's ability to remain afloat in the water environment.

4. In this embodiment, the garment wearer is provided with a means to manually activate the buoyancy-enhancing canister apparatus at an appropriate moment.

5. The buoyancy-enhancing canister apparatus may include a supplemental pump that the garment wearer can use as an additional means to manually activate the canister apparatus in the event that the canister fails to release the compressed fluid automatically when the apparatus is manually activated.

6. The buoyancy-enhancing canister apparatus may be disposable or refillable for re-use.

7. in another embodiment, the buoyancy-enhancing apparatus consists of a garment constructed of a composite fabric that is fabricated with minute particles of a low-density buoyancy-enhancing material being encapsulated within the garment fabric. These particles decrease the density of the garment and thus increase the buoyant force acting on the garment wearer, providing the wearer with an increased ability to float on the surface of the water.

8. In an alternate embodiment, the buoyancy-enhancing apparatus consists of at least one flexible, removable buoyancy-enhancing panel constructed to be inserted into at least one receiving pocket located on and attached to the inner surface of the garment. The panel provides increased buoyancy by increasing the volumetric displacement and reducing the density of the garment, thus increasing the buoyant force acting on the garment wearer.

9. In each of the previously described embodiments, the garment may also be equipped with a signaling device that indicates the operational status of the garment. The signaling device may consist of a light-emitting diode that can serve as a visible indicator to the garment wearer that the buoyancy-enhancing device is ready for use or in use, and can also serve, to alert observers to the garment wearers distress in the water environment. The signaling device may also consist of a radio signal generating component that activates a warning device located where observers may respond to an emergency signal.

Miller Patent: Nomenclature - Components  1. Buoyancy-Enhancing Garment  2. Garment Inner Surface  3. Garment Outer Surface 10. Buoyancy-Enhancing Canister Feature 11. Canister 12. Canister Valve 13. Canister Activation Button 14. Canister Tubing 15. Canister Receiving Compartment 17. Sealed Reservoir Compartment 18. Canister Supplemental Pump 19. Canister Fluid 20. Buoyancy-Enhancing Composite Fabric Feature 21. Buoyancy-Enhancing Composite Fabric 22. Buoyancy-Enhancing Composite Fabric Cross-Section 24. Fabric-Encapsulated Bubble 30. Buoyancy-Enhancing Panel Feature 31. Buoyancy-Enhancing Waistband Panel 32. Waistband Panel Receptacle Pocket 33. Left Side Panel Receptacle Pocket 34. Buoyancy-Enhancing Left Side Panel 35. Right Side Panel Receptacle Pocket 36. Buoyancy-Enhancing Right Side Panel 40. Signaling Device Feature 41. Garment Waistband 42. Signaling Device LED 43. Signaling Device Activation Button 44. Signaling Device Broadcast Signal Transmitter 45. Signaling Device Broadcast Signal Receiver 50. Observer

SUPPLEMENTAL EMBODIMENT

For those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the subject matter components, and it is intended that all material contained herein and the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

Changes in details or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims and drawings of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention embodiments of the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 2 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing canister feature of the buoyancy-enhanced garment as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing fabric feature of the buoyancy-enhancing garment with a wall section exemplified in Section A.

FIG. 4 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing waistband panel feature of the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 5 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing side panel feature of the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 6 is a plane view of the signaling device feature integrated into the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention consists of a buoyancy-enhancing garment, the embodiments of which include (1) a canister apparatus that discharges an expansive fluid into a reservoir embedded into the garment when the wearer presses an activation button; (2) a buoyancy-enhancing fabric from which portions of the garment may be constructed; and (3) one or more insertable buoyancy-enhancing panels which may be inserted into pockets attached to the inner surface of the garment. In addition to the buoyancy-enhancing feature, the garment may incorporate a multipurpose signaling device consisting of one or more light-emitting diode devices that (1) alerts the garment wearer to the functional status of the canister feature and (2) alerts distant observers to the garment wearer's location in an emergency. In another embodiment, the signaling device consists of a transmitting device that emits radio signals receivable by a receiving device located at a distance from the garment wearer.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention embodiments of the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 2 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing canister feature of the buoyancy-enhanced garment as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing fabric feature of the buoyancy-enhancing garment with a wall section exemplified in Section A.

FIG. 4 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing waistband panel feature of the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 5 is a plane view of the buoyancy-enhancing side panel feature of the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

FIG. 6 is a plane view of the signaling device feature integrated into the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 disclose embodiments of a buoyancy-enhancing garment according to the present invention. Like numerals indicate like parts throughout the various views. Each alternative embodiment includes a buoyancy-enhancing garment which, when in use, assists the garment wearer in maintaining a life-saving floating position in the water and, further, provides additional safety by emitting a visible light signal that can alert observers to the wearer's distress by emitting radii) signal that can be received by a receiver located at a distance from the garment wearer.

The invention as shown in FIG. 1 is an exterior view of main embodiment of the buoyancy-enhancing garment incorporating one or more of the following features.

A. Buoyancy-Enhancing Canister Feature.

The invention as shown in FIG. 2 is an embodiment comprised of a garment 1 constructed with a buoyancy-enhancing canister feature 10 comprised of a canister receiving compartment 15 constructed into the garment; a canister 11 shaped to fit into the canister receiving compartment 15, a canister valve 12, a canister fluid element 19, a canister tubing element 14, and a sealed reservoir compartment 17 available to receive the canister fluid 19 after it is discharged from the canister 11 through canister valve 12 and canister tubing 14.

The canister 11 contains a compressed, low-density canister fluid 19 that is available to be discharged through the canister valve 12 and canister tubing 14 into the sealed reservoir compartment 17 by the garment wearer in an emergency situation by pressing the canister activation button 13

The canister fluid 19 may be rechargeable for subsequent use from a convenient re-charging source.

The canister feature 10 is constructed to release compressed canister fluid 19 into a sealed reservoir compartment 17. The canister fluid 19 expands upon release and is confined within the garment by the sealed reservoir compartment 17 attached to the inner surface of the garment. This operation creates an increase in the volume and a corresponding decrease in the average density of the combined garment wearer and garment, causing the combined garment wearer and garment to displace a greater volume of water. The increase in displaced water volume increases the buoyant force acting on the garment wearer and enhances the garment wearer's ability to remain afloat.

The operation of the canister feature is controlled by the garment wearer. The garment wearer presses the activation button 13 beneath the surface of the garment 3 to open the canister valve 12, releasing the canister fluid 19.

B. Buoyancy-Enhancing Fabric Feature.

The invention as shown in FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment comprised of a buoyancy-enhancing garment constructed in pan from a buoyancy-enhancing fabric.

The buoyancy-enhancing fabric 21 contains microscopic, low-density fabric-encapsulated bubbles 24 made of a low-density fluid material. The fabric-encapsulated bubbles are indiscernible to a human observer.

The buoyancy-enhancing fabric 21 is constructed to be lightweight with an aesthetically pleasing outer surface and a personally comfortable texture. The fabric may be pleated or adorned to please the fashion-conscious garment wearer.

The buoyancy-enhancing fabric feature 20 increases the buoyant force acting on the garment wearer by decreasing the density of the combined garment and garment wearer so that their combined weight is less than the weight of the water displaced. In this embodiment, the invention requires no voluntary action by the garment wearer. The buoyancy-enhancing composite fabric feature 20 is effective at all times that the garment is being worn in the water. The wearer can maintain a vertical or horizontal floatation position with minimal effort and activate any embodiment of the signaling device feature 40 that may be incorporated into the buoyancy-enhancing garment 1.

C. Buoyancy-Enhancing Insertable Panel Feature.

The invention as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment in which the garment is constructed with a buoyancy-enhancing panel feature 30 comprised of one or more insertable, removable, and flexible buoyancy-enhancing panels 31, 34, 36 constructed to fit into panel receptacle pockets 32, 33, 35 constructed on the inner surface of the buoyancy-enhancing garment.

The insertable buoyancy-enhancing panels 31, 34, and 36 may be constructed of layers of buoyant material.

The buoyancy-enhancing panels 32, 34, and 36 conform to the garment interior and may be mounted in the interior space between the swimsuit and person's exterior surface in panel receptacle pockets 32, 33, and 35 designed to receive the panels.

The buoyancy-enhancing panels 32, 34, and 36 are constructed to be readily insertable and removable, light-weight, flexible, and easily storable.

In this embodiment, the invention requires no voluntary action on the part of the garment wearer other than inserting one or more panels before using the garment.

D. Signaling Device Feature.

In another alternative embodiment, the buoyancy-enhancing garment incorporates a signaling device feature 40 that consists of a light-emitting diode 42 with dual purposes. The light-emitting diode 42 serves as a signal to the garment wearer that the canister feature 10 is operative. The light-emitting diode 42 can also be activated by the garment wearer as a distress signal that alerts an observer 50 to the fact that that the wearer is in distress and indicates his location. [Need to add the garment wearer to the drawings and give a number?]

In another embodiment, the garment 1 incorporates a user-activated signaling device broadcast signal transmitter 44 that sends a radio signal that can be received by the signaling device broadcast signal receiver in another location where an observer 50 can receive the distress signal. The signal can be used for the purpose of locating the garment wearer.

The garment user can check the signaling device light-emitting diode 42 in advance of participating in water-related activities to ensure that the light-emitting diode indicates that the canister feature 10 is operational. 

1: A garment for rapidly and efficiently enhancing the buoyancy of the garment wearer in a water environment, comprising: a) a garment; and b) a buoyancy-enhancing apparatus that is constructed to be incorporated into said garment. 2: A buoyancy-enhancing apparatus according to claim 1 consisting of a canister constructed within said garment and filled with a compressed fluid material that can be released into a secondary cavity constructed within said garment wherein said fluid expands upon release to increase the volume of said garment while decreasing its density, thus increasing the composite volume and decreasing the composite density of said garment wearer and said garment. 3: A buoyancy-enhancing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said buoyancy-enhancing apparatus is adapted to provide said garment wearer with the means to control his buoyancy in a water environment by manual means consisting of an activation button on the garment which activates said canister apparatus. 4: A buoyancy-enhancing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said buoyancy-enhancing apparatus is adapted to include a supplemental pump as an additional means to manually activate said buoyancy-enhancing apparatus in the event that said canister fails to operate when said activation button is pressed. 5: A buoyancy-enhancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said buoyancy-enhancing apparatus consists of a garment fabric constructed with minute particles of a buoyancy-enhancing material encapsulated within said fabric. 6: A buoyancy-enhancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said buoyancy-enhancing apparatus consists of at least one insertable and removable buoyancy-enhancing panel adapted to be inserted into a receiving pocket constructed within said garment. 7: A garment according to claim 1 wherein said garment is adapted to signal its on/off operational status. 8: A garment according to claim 1 wherein said garment is adapted to signal to an observer that said wearer is in distress. 